Difference between revisions of "Icon corner"
m (→Contents: added links) |
(copyediting) |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | [[Image:icon_corner.jpg|right|frame|An icon corner in an American home]]An ''' | + | [[Image:icon_corner.jpg|right|frame|An icon corner in an American home]] |
+ | An '''icon corner''' is the family's place of worship, also called the '''home altar'''. Its concept of the church of the home is an old Orthodox tradition. It started in the first century when there were no churches and Christians would gather in private homes to worship. | ||
− | If possible, locate the icon corner on an east wall of the house so that you face east while praying. According to Orthodox belief, Christ, the light of the world, will come again from the East. Choose a relatively private area | + | If possible, locate the [[icon]] corner on an east wall of the house so that you face east while praying. According to Orthodox belief, [[Christ]], the light of the world, will come again from the East. Choose a relatively private area conducive to [[prayer]] but accessible to all of the family. Some people prefer an upstairs halllway; others select the parents' bedroom. The choice is yours. |
There are many ways to arrange the icon corner. The items may go into a glass-enclosed cabinet, on open shelves, and/or hung on the walls above a small table. | There are many ways to arrange the icon corner. The items may go into a glass-enclosed cabinet, on open shelves, and/or hung on the walls above a small table. | ||
== Contents == | == Contents == | ||
− | *Icon of [[ | + | *Icon of [[Christ]] |
− | *Icon of the [[Theotokos | + | *Icon of the [[Theotokos]] |
− | *Icon of the family patron saint | + | *Icon of the family's [[patron saint]] |
*Optional: Other icons such as those of saints of family members and significant church events | *Optional: Other icons such as those of saints of family members and significant church events | ||
*A cross | *A cross | ||
*A prayer book | *A prayer book | ||
*The Bible | *The Bible | ||
− | * | + | *Seasonal items: |
− | + | **First piece cut from the [[Vasilopita]] at the [[feast]] of St. [[Basil the Great|Basil]] | |
− | + | **Holy water from the [[Theophany]] church sevice | |
− | + | **Palms from the [[Palm Sunday]] service | |
− | + | **Holy oil from the [[Holy Unction]] service on Holy Wednesday | |
− | + | **Flowers from special services: Good Friday, etc. | |
− | + | **[[Pascha]]l egg | |
− | + | *Seal for [[prosphora|communion bread]] | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | *Seal for communion bread | ||
− | |||
*Censer with incense and charcoal pellets | *Censer with incense and charcoal pellets | ||
− | + | *Light or candle ([[vigil lamp]]) | |
− | *Light or candle | + | *Optional: [[Marriage]] crowns |
− | + | The perishable items should be eaten, distributed to the birds, or burnt if it is necessary to dispose of them. | |
− | *Optional: Marriage crowns | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
− | ==Articles about | + | ==Articles about icon corners== |
*[http://holytrinity.orthodoxmission.org/2005/03/icon-corner.htm The Icon Corner] - by Subdeacon James Davis | *[http://holytrinity.orthodoxmission.org/2005/03/icon-corner.htm The Icon Corner] - by Subdeacon James Davis | ||
*[http://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/xc_home.aspx#corner Marriage and the Christian Home: The Icon Corner] - by Fr. Michael B. Henning | *[http://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/xc_home.aspx#corner Marriage and the Christian Home: The Icon Corner] - by Fr. Michael B. Henning | ||
Line 43: | Line 36: | ||
* [http://www.byzantines.net/prayer/prayerInHome.htm The Icon Corner] - A Byzantine Catholic source | * [http://www.byzantines.net/prayer/prayerInHome.htm The Icon Corner] - A Byzantine Catholic source | ||
− | ==Personal | + | ==Personal accounts== |
*[http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/OldWorldBasic/THE_ICON_CORNER.htm The Icon Corner - КР | *[http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/OldWorldBasic/THE_ICON_CORNER.htm The Icon Corner - КР |
Revision as of 17:42, September 12, 2005
An icon corner is the family's place of worship, also called the home altar. Its concept of the church of the home is an old Orthodox tradition. It started in the first century when there were no churches and Christians would gather in private homes to worship.
If possible, locate the icon corner on an east wall of the house so that you face east while praying. According to Orthodox belief, Christ, the light of the world, will come again from the East. Choose a relatively private area conducive to prayer but accessible to all of the family. Some people prefer an upstairs halllway; others select the parents' bedroom. The choice is yours.
There are many ways to arrange the icon corner. The items may go into a glass-enclosed cabinet, on open shelves, and/or hung on the walls above a small table.
Contents
- Icon of Christ
- Icon of the Theotokos
- Icon of the family's patron saint
- Optional: Other icons such as those of saints of family members and significant church events
- A cross
- A prayer book
- The Bible
- Seasonal items:
- First piece cut from the Vasilopita at the feast of St. Basil
- Holy water from the Theophany church sevice
- Palms from the Palm Sunday service
- Holy oil from the Holy Unction service on Holy Wednesday
- Flowers from special services: Good Friday, etc.
- Paschal egg
- Seal for communion bread
- Censer with incense and charcoal pellets
- Light or candle (vigil lamp)
- Optional: Marriage crowns
The perishable items should be eaten, distributed to the birds, or burnt if it is necessary to dispose of them.
Articles about icon corners
- The Icon Corner - by Subdeacon James Davis
- Marriage and the Christian Home: The Icon Corner - by Fr. Michael B. Henning
- Bringing it all back home - by Nancy Forest
- The Icon Corner: A "How To" - A Ukrainian Orthodox perspective by Dr. Alexander Roman
- The Icon Corner - A Byzantine Catholic source
Personal accounts
- [http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/OldWorldBasic/THE_ICON_CORNER.htm The Icon Corner - КР